DCC seeks public comment in search for new president

SoVaNow.com / November 20, 2012

Danville Community College is searching for a new president, and the public is invited to give input to this process through an online survey. The survey will be available at the following link: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/GS2CTKS, or visit the DCC homepage http://www.dcc.vccs.edu) to access the survey link. The web-based survey will be available until Wednesday, Dec. 5.

The survey is designed to gather opinions from respondents about what are the major challenges facing Danville Community College in the next five years; what attributes are needed by the next president to meet those challenges; what three things the new president should accomplish in the first year; and what the respondents believe to be the most distinctive characteristic of DCC.

All DCC stakeholders are encouraged to complete the survey, including students, faculty, staff, administrators, college and educational foundation board members, community members, community leaders, and alumni. Responses will be considered by the DCC Board and the Virginia Community College System (VCCS) Chancellor, Dr. Glenn DuBois, as part of the search process.

According to Dr. Christopher Lee, VCCS associate vice chancellor, Human Resource Services, a search committee will review application materials after the position is advertised nationally. The committee chair and co-Chair will both be VCCS presidents and other members will include representatives from other VCCS schools with expertise in a variety of areas and three DCC Board members. The committee’s primary responsibilities include reviewing, screening and evaluating the credentials and application materials of potential candidates; selecting candidates for interviews; interviewing candidates; and recommending semi-finalists for consideration.

According to information shared recently at the College Board meeting, in a typical presidential search, the top 10 or so candidates spend several days in Richmond for a formal interview and presentation and to meet with the chancellor and his cabinet.

Three or four finalists are selected, who are then vetted by an independent firm. The Virginia State Board for Community Colleges then certifies the finalists, and the college community determines the candidate with the “best fit.” The entire process can take about six months, according to DuBois.